Refrigerating apparatus



Nov. 3, 1931. w. c. HOLBROOK REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1928 gW-Hm gwwv drcwm unit or the like Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM C. HOLBROOK, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO FRIGIDAI'BE CORPORATION, 01 DAYTON, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWABE BEEBIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed January 81, 1928. Serial No. 250,809.

The present invention relates to improvements in the construction of cabinets for refrigerating apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to pro- 5 vide an improved cabinet wall structure which will permit the passage therethrough of pipes without causing entry of heated air or odors into the refrigerated interlor of the cabinet.

This eflect is secured by providin an improved form of sealed opening for t e walls of such a cabinet through which the plpes may pass.

It is a further object of the invention to 15 provide a cabinet wall construction WlllCh will facilitate the installation and removal of the refrigerating element from the calmnet and its connection and disconnection with the refrigerant circulating machinery.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a section through the improved wall seal of the invention; and

Fig. 2 illustrates a refrigerator cabinet 50 provided with the improved seal of the invention.

In mechanicallyrefrigerated cabinets in 4 which a refrigerating element is supplied with refrigerating medium by a compressor isposed-eit er in another part of the cabinet or at a point remote therefrom it is customary in order to facilitate the installation and removal of the element to I run the connecting pipin through a wall of 43 the cabinet, preferably t e rear wall.

In extending the piping to the exterior of the cabinet it is desirable to make as tight a seal'as possible in the wall so that warm air may be prevented from entering the refrigerated portion of the cabinet. Hitherto difficulty has also been encountered by the entry of odors into the food compartment and the absorption of such odors by the food.

These odors originate from the cork or otherheat insulation used in the walls. While normally odorless the heat. insulation may absorb moisture from the air and from the cooling chamber if out through to permit the extension of the iping and gradually to impart its absorbeti odor to the interior of the refrigerator.

These difliculties are particularly encountered when the seal is applied in the field by the installation man or repair man.

By the present invention these difficulties are obviated by providing a seal which is applied during the manufacture of the cabinet and which will effectively-seal the interior of the cabinet from the insulation within the walls at the point where the pipes of the system extend through a wall of-the cabinet.

Referring in detail to the drawings the improved seal of the invention is shown applied to a mechanically refrigerated cabinet. The cabinet comprises walls composed of a framework 10, outside lining 11 and inside lining 12. The space between the two linings is filled with a suitable heat insulating material such as corkboard or the like, indicated by 13, which is tightly cemented to the linin s. The cabinet is equipped with the usual oors 14, 15, giving access to the interior from the front. It is likewise shown divided into a plurality of compartments. One compartment 16 serves as the refrigerating compartment while another 17 may serve to house the compressor unit.

The upper compartment 16 may contain the refrigeratin element; The latter is shown by way 0 illustration as comprising a header 17 carried by the inside top of the cabinet as by brackets 18. A plurality of dependent loops of pipe 19 are connected to the header and serve to form a freezing space arranged to enclose sleeves 20 containing trays 21 for holding substances to be frozen. The refrigerant is supplied to the header by means of a pipe 22 connected with a compressor unit, not shown. It is with drawn by means of another pipe 23 likewise connected with the compressor.

These pipes, as well as any other pipes used for controlling the operation of the refrigerating element, pass through a wall of the cabinet, preferably the rear wall as shown in Fig. 2. Such pipes may be provided with couplings and flares, and a relatively large opening is required to permit their insertion into the cabinet. The opening through which they pass is closed by means of the im roved seal of the invention.

Referring in etail to the construction of the seal shown in Fig. I, it will be observed that the cabinet wall is provided with a tubular opening extending through from the interior of the cabinet to the exterior.

The opening preferably slants downwardly, although this is to be considered a matter of convenience and not a limitation of the invention, for example the opening may slant in other directions, as when the pipes are run to a compressor which is placed elsewhere than below the cooling compartment. The slanting of the o ening saves space by allowing the gradual ends in the pipes to be disposed mainly within the thickness of the wall. The inside lining 12 of the wall is cut out to provide'an openingof lesser diameter than that cut out of the rear lining 11. The insulating material 13 is preferably cut away to the same extentas the diameter to the opening of the rear lining.

A tube 27 of heat insulatin material, such as fibre or the like, is placed in the hole in the insulation 13 of the wall and is preferably cemented to the insulating material in the same manner as the insulation is cemented to the lining, suitable heat-plastic cement preferably of an asphaltic or tarry nature such as hydrolene being used. The operation being performed by coating the inside of the cavity in the insulating material with the compound mentioned which latter is also preferably applied to the fibre tube 27 as by painting it thereon or immersin the tube in the heated and melted compoun The tube 27 is then pushed into place between the two linin s, the insertion of the tube being effecte from the rear of the wall so that the overhanging flange members 29 and 30 of the front lining 12 act as a retaining flange or stop for asslsting in positioning the tube and preventing its protrusion into the inte rior of the cabinet. The heavy line 31 indicates the la er of sealing compound or hydrolene, which not only Waterproofs the cavity but also cements the tube in place, thus securing a good connection between the insulation and the tube.

The operations above, described are performed in the factory and by this method the insulation or corkboard is thoroughly sealed off from the exterior and interior of the cabinet.

When the refrigerating element is to be installed in the cabinet which is usually effected in the field a grommet or bushing 24 of flexible material, such as rubber is passed over the vplping so as to embrace it with a snug fit. This grommet is preferably provided with a groove 32 and projecting bulbous portions 25 and 26 so that it may readily be snapped over the edges of the hole in the lining l2 and gripped by the lining. It may be split or even built in interfitting sections to facilitate insertion of the tubes.

For the purpose of sealing the cavity within the fibre tube 27 a: packing of fibrous heat insulating material such as kapok, indicated by 28, is forced into the space within the tube 2 By means of the arrangement described. a yielding nonconducting seal is effected which not only efiectively seals the food containing interior of the cabinet a ainst ingress of heated air and odors, but w ich likewise protects the insulation 13 from absorption of moisture. While virtually permanent it is nevertheless sufliciently yieldable to withstand vibration due to operation of the compressor and at the same time it Ina readily be dismantled without damage, i the element is to be removed from the cabinet while the installation may readily be effected in the field by-the serviceman.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A refrigerator cabinet including a thick insulating wall, a lining for the wall, said wall and lining having a passageway, said passageway in the insulated wall having its end in register with the opening in the lining and having its axis obliquely disposed with reference to the lining.

2. A refrigerating cabinet including a thick insulated wall, a lining for the wall provided with an opening, said insulating wall having a passageway of larger size than said opening with its end in register with said opening and having its axis obliquely disposed with reference to the lining. an insulating tube in said passageway abutting said lining and sealed to said insulating wall, insulating means carried by said lining for centering and sealing piping in said opening and for sealing said opening, said piping having a bend disposed within the wall between said opening and the outside of the wall, and insulation within said tube.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my sig nature.

WILLIAM C. HOLBRCCK. 

